Search the SPREP Catalogue

This island nation contains many marine eco-systems, from globally significant coral reefs to mangroves, seagrass areas, seamounts and deep-sea trenches supporting at least 769 fish species, including sharks and rays, as well as whales, dolphins and sea turtles.

Fisheries in the Solomon Islands comprise two distinct sectors: the industrial sector which is predominantly off-shore and depends on the abundant tuna resources found in the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and the subsistence-artisanal sector which is based on inshore resources found in the coastal regions. Although the off-shore Fisheries contribute more to the national economy in terms of foreign exchange earning (Gillett and Lightfoot 2002), the subsistence-artisanal sector is by far the most important to the bulk of the population with annual production estimated at SI$60 million (Kile 2000) and US$9,963 million (Gillett and Lightfoot 2002). This sector provides food, income and employment for many inhabitants of coastal communities throughout the country, and will become increasing important as the population of the Solomon Islands increases.